Toner container manufacturing method
Patent 7325385 Issued on February 5, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date: 
April 8, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
April 8, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesProcess for manufacturing a xerographic toner cartridge Method for manufacturing, filling and closing a receptacle made of thermoplastic material Apparatus for forming endless loops from sheet material Method of manufacturing a toner bottle Seal member, toner container and process cartridge Developer accomodating container and developing device Method of and apparatus for packaging film cartridge Disassembling method for toner accommodating container Method for attaching electrically conductive sheet to developer sealing member Cartridge having developer containing portion with inner pressure regulating function InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 10820112 filed on 04/08/2004US Classes:53/471, With separate closure attaching (e.g., cap or plug)53/473, Filling preformed receptacle53/476, Closing package or filled receptacle53/264, WITH MEANS APPLYING CLOSURES OF INTERNALLY STOPPERED RECEPTACLES53/412, Package opening device (e.g., tear strip)156/361, Of feed or motion of indefinite length work or transfer carrying tape53/453, Forming a pocket or depression in cover material by applying heat or pressure (e.g., stretch forming)399/106, Toner cartridge53/430, Winding399/109, Remanufacturing156/285, Direct application of vacuum or fluid pressure during bonding399/103, Developer seal399/90Electrical connectionExaminersPrimary: Tawfik, Sameh H.Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassB65B 7/28AbstractA manufacturing method for a toner container provided with an opening, said method includes a filling step of filling the toner container with toner through an opening; a closing step of setting a cap member and closing the opening with the cap member, after said filling step; a sealing step of sealing the opening by vibration welding of the cap member to the toner container by a welding jig, wherein the cap member is welded to the toner container while imparting a relative movement of the welding jig relative to the toner container toward an un-welded portion. ClaimsWhat is claimed is: 1. A manufacturing method for a toner container provided with an opening, said method comprising: a fixing step of fixing a position of the toner container and substantiallypreventing movement of the toner container; a filling step of filling toner into the toner container, at a position of which is fixed by said fixing step, through the opening, wherein the toner has a true specific gravity which is not more than 2 andhas a particle size which is not more than 20 microns; a closing step of setting a cover member and closing the opening with the cover member after said filling step; a pressing step of pressing the cover member to the toner container by a pressingmechanism after the cover member is set in the toner container in said closing step; and a sealing step of gradually welding the cover member and the toner container with each other by an ultrasonic vibration welding member which is in contact with apart of a portion to be welded while changing the contact portion around the opening; wherein when the welding is carried out in said sealing step, a temperature of the portion being welded is higher than a softening point temperature of the toner,wherein in said sealing step, the pressing mechanism presses the cover member at upstream and downstream portions, with respect to a moving direction of the welding member, of the portion being welded outside the part where the welding member is incontact with the part of the portion being welded. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein in said sealing step, the welding member is circulated around the opening to return to a start point of welding. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the welding member has a projected free end. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the opening functions to permit removal of a mold during injection molding of the toner container. 5. A manufacturing method for a toner container provided with an opening, said method comprising: a filling step of filling the toner container with toner through the opening, wherein the toner has a true specific gravity which is not more than2 and has a particle size which is not more than 20 microns; a closing step of setting a cover member and closing the opening with the cover member after said filling step; a pressing step of pressing the cover member to the toner container by apressing mechanism after the cover member is set in the toner container in said closing step; and a sealing step of gradually welding the cover member and the toner container to each other by an ultrasonic vibration welding member which is in contactwith a part of a portion to be welded while changing the contact portion around the opening, wherein when the welding is carried out in said sealing step, a temperature of the portion being welded is higher than a softening point temperature of thetoner, wherein in said pressing step, the pressing mechanism uses a plurality of pressing members, wherein the plurality of pressing members are movable independently from each other between a pressing position for pressing the cover member and aretracted position where they do not press the cover member, wherein a pressing member of the plurality of pressing members coffesponds to the portion where the welding member is in contact with the cover member is not pressed, and the other pressingmembers press the cover member. 6. A method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein when the welding is carried out in said sealing step, an amplitude of vibration in the welded portion is 15-24 μm. Other References
Field of SearchWith separate closure attaching (e.g., cap or plug)Filling preformed receptacle Closing package or filled receptacle Separate closure Closing preformed container deformed by contents Closing a preformed, freestanding, rigid or semi-rigid container (e.g., box, carton, bottle) By applying a separate preformed closure (e.g., lid, cap) By plugging closure into container Including closure handling means WITH MEANS APPLYING CLOSURES OF INTERNALLY STOPPERED RECEPTACLES With separate closure Separate closure applying With means to heat or cool seam |
